Severe Disabilities

I was looking at sever disabilities...  I was on main campus the other day and saw that there were a lot of people with disabilities at the rec and I asked someone what it was about.  The rec was holding a special olympics practice for people all over the world.  It was so neat to meet someone that knew all about it.  There was a swimmer who was one of the fastest swimmers and he had all artificial limbs.  The event was free for everyone.  There were people from all over the world like China and Europe.


UC also hosts special olympics for kids, and here is a link to read about it:)
http://www.gobearcats.com/genrel/051509aaa.html

National Inclusion Project

A peer of mine, Sarah, introduced me to a website that gives grants out to communities that want to involve students with disabilities in activities.  "Let's All Play" supports organizations that involve kids with disabilities and without to move towards full inclusion.  Organizations that are interested can go to this website and get started by ordering a manual to help guide them.  The Lets All Play will help in any way possible.  The program has helped the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club etc.  The website gives personal statements from those who have used this program.  Also, there is a donate page to this website for those who want to help and donate to this amazing program.

Check it out!
P.S.- Thanks Sarah!

http://inclusionproject.org/level_2.php?id=54

Funding after school programs

I started to think about families that might not have the funds to let their child participate in after school activities.  A lot of schools are cutting programs and/or upping the pay to play.  I know it adds up and this can hinder some students from being a part of an activity that they so badly want to be a part of.  I found this website that is all about including students with disabilities in after school programs and how they might fund it.  A quote from this article made me want to share the entire article..

All children have the right to play. Afterschool programs that include children with special needs allow all children to develop social skills as well as participate in enrichment activities. These programs bring out the best in all the children.

-- Elizabeth Fulmer

This article talks about all the positive things that come out of students participating in after school activities.  There are different non profit organizations that allow students to participate.  Another part of this article talks about how the activities should be chosen on interest, not ability.  I completely agree with that!

http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/issue_34_specialneeds.cfm

21st Century After School Program

As I was student teaching an after school program was introduced to my school and I was asked to be a part of it.  This involved tutoring students who needed help socially, academically, and physically.  This was an after school program that welcomed every student.  Most of the students had ADHD.  This program involved students working on homework or in a fitness group for the first hour then switching groups.  Another day would be homework and games/strategy.  I think that this program is really important to have to help students work on social skills and homework.  Parents were really excited to hear about this program because they wanted to help their children succeed in school.  It was really touching to hear the support that came from these families.  

Interview

For class we had to interview parents with children who have disabilities.  The family that I chose to interview told me about the extra curricular activities that their child loves to do.  There is a group called Respite Care where a "sitter" will come take the child and participate in extra curricular activities.  This interview really touched me because they talked about how their daughter just wants to have a normal life.  This made me think about all the other students that are in school who want to participate in all of these activities just like every other student.  It brought tears to my eyes just thinking about how schools might limit the openings for students with disabilities who really want to participate in those activities.  I think that the Respite Care is a good program to help families out and take the children who go do what they really want to do.  This particular child got to be involved in cheerleading, soccer, softball and basketball. I think that families that really work hard with their child and want the best for them are able to find ways to help them participate in activities that they enjoy.

Visionaries and Voices

I wanted to share this wonderful place where people of all ages with disabilities are able to participate in art activities.  I volunteered at Visionaries and Voices and it is such a great place with people who really care about each other.  As I was exploring their website, I found that they go to different schools around the area to work with students who have disabilities.  They provide art shows for friends and families to keep them involved.  Visionaries and Voices even sells art work from these individuals!

Their Mission Statement:The mission of Visionaries and Voices is to provide artistic and cultural opportunities for artists with disabilities, and to build an inclusive environment where all artists feel valued. We value a world in which artists with disabilities not only create and share their works of art, but also are able to learn, work, collaborate, exhibit, teach, and celebrate with other community members. 


http://www.visionariesandvoices.com/content/vv-home

Local (Cincinnati) activities for children with disabilities

After reading comments on my blog, I have decided to look up some local places that provides activities for children with disabilities.  Cincinnati Children's Hospital's website is very helpful and easy to navigate for those parents who are searching for extra curricular activities.  They have many different kinds of activities and camps for children who have different interests. If I was a parent of a child with a disability, I would want all the help I could get in finding outside activities that best fits my child from my child's teacher.  I think that by looking into local opportunities this will help me out in the future since I am planning on staying around this area.  It is important to put yourself into someone else's shoes and figure out what you can do to help.

http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/patients/child/special-needs/recreation/camps/

Children with Physical Disabilities

I was curious to find out what kind of activities are provided outside of school for children to participate in who have physical disabilities.  By researching, I found out that there are a lot of camps for children to not only do physical activities, but to learn about being healthy.  I liked this YouTube video I found about a camp for children with physical disabilities.

Camp for children with physical disabilities

I think it is important for the parents to research different activities for their children.  If the school does not provide any extra curricular activities for their children, these camps are a great idea.

Inclusion

As I've continued to research I have been thinking about how it is important to have inclusion in the classroom. I believe in inclusion and think it is beneficial for not only the students with disabilities, but also the students without. It creates a sense of acceptance and builds social skills for the children. So, I have started to think... isn't it just important we include children with disabilities in extra curricular activities as well?!? A lot of the time people think of extra curricular activities and think of physical sports such as soccer, football, cheerleading etc, but there are other activities teachers can introduce to families, such as theater, book clubs, academic games, chess club, choir etc. I found this website that describes these extra curricular activities and why they are beneficial to children with disabilities. These are even simple activities/clubs that a teacher can create at her school. It wouldn't take a lot of time out of a teachers  already busy schedule, and would help with the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children with and without disabilities.  What are your thoughts on these extra curricular activities? Do you think it would be something you'd like to get involved with at a school you worked for?

this is the website  :) ...enjoy!
http://www.ldonline.org/article/9924/

Children who need to express themselves but are limited on how they can express can be difficult when considering outside activities that would interest him/her.  As I previously stated, I think it is important for the child to be able to enjoy the extra curricular activity, but how do the parents know what exactly he/she would like if communication is limited/not available.  On the other hand, I think that the parents will know some sort of interests just by living with the child and being around him/her all the time.  Picking activities can also be challenging if the child has a physical disability which limits him on what he can do even if it interests him.

I found this article that explains picking activities to do, which I find interesting.  It says to have unplanned time to explore different options for the child.  Start younger, and then when the child gets older, the parents will have more of an idea of what the child is interested in.  This article says that in choosing the activities, there cannot be a lot of new rules and situations can be overwhelming.


http://www.netplaces.com/parenting-kids-with-special-needs/extracurricular-activities/choose-activities.htm

A list for teens diagnosed with autism

I found this website that is short and simple suggesting that parents get their child involved!  I couldn't agree more that children with special needs have to get out and be active.  That not only relieves stress on the parents and family, but the child.  This article specifically focuses on activities for children diagnosed with autism.  There are some great ideas.  Also, it talks about how parents can be involved if we take for example kayaking.  The child can sit in the kayak while a parent paddles.  This is still getting their child involved with the community and outdoors and taking a break from everyday struggles.


http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/teens-with-asd-extracurricular-activities/

I found another article on how students with disabilities are participating in extra curricular activities more now than ever.  I am really happy to have found this information because I think it is really important for students with special needs to be involved and active outside of school.  It helps the family and the child create a more positive environment.  What stuck out to me in this article is that the child should choose an activity that is of interest.  The parents should help motivate the child into finding an activity that is of interest, not just any activity.

http://www.ldonline.org/article/9924/

Getting Started...

Hello! Welcome to my blog:)  I am starting an adventure in finding more information related to extra curricular activities for students with special needs.  Some of the questions that I have pondered include: What activities after school could students with disabilities participate in and feel included with other students?  How can a school system enhance the overall school experience for students with disabilities through extra curricular activities?  What roles should the families play?